Insulin Pump CGM Sensor Time!
Tales of the Training and the First Days of the Guardian Sensor
As I discussed the last two weeks, I have received an “artificial pancreas,” as so known as an insulin pump. My new pump has the ability to communicate with a separate sensor that monitors my blood glucose levels all day. It requires that I do the old finger prick test to calibrate the sensor once in the morning and one at night. I really have wanted a Continuous Glucose Monitor, CGM, since I first learned about them on Instagram I years ago. I was not in the position to get one and had no clue how to get one.
First the events of the experience of my second injection site for my insulin pump: It was just as troublesome as the first one and included a wasted “quick set” that goes from me to the pump. Everything started off well and yes I had the correct insulin from the start. The first quick set accidentally got the bandage that holds the tap on me all folded and messed up. I, also, swear that the pump’s metal needle that aids the cannula, tiny needle like tube, was bent. Ashley said that has happened in the past in her experience. I guess that was the case with this set.
Another issue with the first attempt at my site change was wrestling the desired amount of insulin in the pump’s reservoir without air bubbles. I did manage to get almost 50 units in the pump. That amount of insulin should get me to the next site change. I managed to get the second quick set inserted and hooked up. However, I accidentally turned the taps on/off switch where insulin was not being injected. I found that out when I had over 300 BG, blood glucose, two hours after eating my food. I clicked the switch to on and my BG dropped to the 200’s an hour later. I was relieved that there was not another issue and was good until the next change on Friday or when the insulin runs out.
The training for the CGM “Guardian” Sensor was easy after the initial pump session. It took about an hour for Ashley to explain the ins and outs of the idea of how to use the sensor. She set a stop for the basal when the sensor sees my BG trending down to 70. She explicitly said don’t over react to any highs or lows during the day. Just have a plan and stick to what you eat and injected for the day. I heard her but did not listen unfortunately.
The next change of site and reservoir happened Thursday morning. I had less than 10 units when I went to bed on Wednesday and only had 0.3 units left after my bolus Thursday morning. That left not even enough for the first basal of the day, so I had no choice but to change things. I began with a 7.0 Bouls since my BG was 162. I changed the site and reservoir afterwards. That change might have been an error to try to get the most out of the insulin I began the day with in hindsight. I was doing the usual eating a protein bar and exercise biking.
My pump was warning my BG was low, and the basal was suspended. So, I skipped the second ride and ate the last protein bar, skipped the bike, and started my two turkey burgers. My sensor said BG got down to 52 while I was cooking the burgers. I ate some mints and drank orange juice to avoid it getting too much lower. I was flashing back on the ER trip in January, so that is why I ate and drank at the time. I just wish I remembered Ashley’s warning on overreacting from the day before. My BG rebounded to 160 and 242 shortly after I ate.
My BG normalized after 2 more boluses. I guess I really do need to heed Ashley’s advice and not panic when my sensor shows I am going low. In the end, my first mistake was not putting enough insulin in the pump. That was just worsened when I did a bolus then decided to change the site and reservoir instead of rushing to eat within an hour of the morning’s bolus. The big error in the events of Thursday morning is that I want to try to not waste insulin. Changing the quick set and reservoir from the start was a wiser choice. At least, the change was the easiest one I have done yet.
The next week is supposed to be an online and phone check from Ashley to see if all is going well. I actually got the Minimed Carelink web app to work, so I can upload my pumps BG numbers and info to their system. That will make her seeing my progress easy next week. I had to get my parents to help me out and buy a cheap Lenovo Notebook Windows PC to log on the web app that requires Internet Explorer 10 or 11 to work. As a side note, jeez Java is a pain and a menace. Having to lower every security setting on the PC felt so wrong. It was only $200 to get a computer just to do that. Yes, that seems excessive or dumb, but not that pricey when all my health care costs are considered. I am just thankful that they can afford to help me with everything. From what I can tell, my lack of finances is not changing anytime soon.
Of course, considering that recent health events have brought my theoretical time frame to the here and now. I feel like I just want to live and don’t really have much thought of trying to get any further beyond the next week or weeks. Yes, I will do what I should and try to set myself up to live much longer, but I no longer worry about things as much as I did before the last year or so. Enjoy what you can when you can. You never know when things might change on a dime.
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